Holy Week at Our House

A couple of years ago I read a book called Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper. It is a simple book that challenges families (mom's in particular) to make the traditions in your home point to Christ. I could be doing more in this area, but here are a few of our traditions for Holy Week at our house. Two of these are straight from Noel's great book!

Every year Noah and I make a playdough tomb. I know it sounds a little silly at first, but this has been a great way to tell the story of Jesus death and resurrection every year. We make the tomb, stone, cross, and pipe cleaner people. All week we discuss the events of the crucifixion. We put our pipe cleaner Jesus on the cross on Good Friday, place him in the tomb, and cover the tomb entrance with the stone. On Sunday morning before Noah wakes up we pull Jesus out of the tomb and stand him up. He is Alive! We still do a basket for the boys in celebration of Resurrection Sunday, but our tomb has made the day much more about Jesus and I'm not sure Noah knows who the Easter bunny is...this is okay with us:) Click on the highlighted link for detailed instructions.

This year Levi got in on the action:

Noah working hard on the playdough. Levi was a BIG help. They are both still in their PJ's.

Levi would like for you to know that while the playdough isn't toxic, it doesn't taste good.

The tomb and Noah's new "natural" smile. We hadn't added the cross yet.

Also beginning last year we began using the Easter Readings available from Desiringgod.org Click on the link for a copy of the readings and complete instructions. We enjoyed this last year and are doing it again this year. It incorporates Lenten Candles as well. Noah doesn't completely understand all that we read, but he understands more this year than last year and is learning to quietly listen to scripture being read. Levi just enjoys trying to blow out the candles. Our prayer is one day they will come to understand the Gospel!

This year I stumbled upon what I think will be a new tradition. This month, Noah and I read the Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I didn't intentionally plan this for the Easter season, but it was good timing. I love reading aloud that book and Noah loved the storyline. I know he doesn't get all the parallels between Aslan and Christ, but he did enjoy the story. We finished reading the book on Saturday and watched the movie Saturday night. He loved it and I think we'll make this an annual event! (Caution: The movie is a little scary in parts.)

Also new this year. I found a fun recipe for Resurrection Rolls online. You simply dunk a marshmallow in butter, roll it in cinnamon sugar, then wrap it in two cresant rolls (canned, refrigerated dough). When you bake the rolls the marshmallow melts leaving an empty "tomb". Noah had fun making these. Levi didn't help to make them but he had fun eating them! They taste way better than the playdough! The link above gives the complete recipe. (Tips: Use two rolls instead of one for each marshmallow. Bake in greased muffin pan instead of a cookie sheet. Otherwise marshmallows tend to ooze out!)

I started these traditions for the boys' benefit originally but they have proven to be a great reminder for me as well. I find myself reflecting more on the precious gift of Christ's death, burial, and ressurection during this season.